Lung Health
Learn how to keep your lungs healthy and breathe easier
If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, or persistent cough, see a doctor right away. This information is for learning only.
Why Are Healthy Lungs Important?
Your lungs bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide. Healthy lungs help you breathe easily, stay active, and feel energetic. Taking care of your lungs can prevent breathing problems and lung diseases.
How Your Lungs Work
When you breathe in:
- Air travels through your nose or mouth to your lungs
- Oxygen from the air goes into your blood
- Your blood carries oxygen to all parts of your body
- Carbon dioxide (waste) is removed when you breathe out
Keeping Your Lungs Healthy
Don't Smoke
The most important thing for lung health
- • Never start smoking
- • Quit if you currently smoke
- • Avoid secondhand smoke
- • Ask for help to quit smoking
Breathe Clean Air
Avoid air pollution when possible
- • Stay indoors on high pollution days
- • Avoid busy roads during rush hour
- • Use air purifiers at home
- • Keep your home well-ventilated
Exercise Regularly
Strengthen your breathing muscles
- • Do cardio exercises like walking
- • Practice deep breathing exercises
- • Try activities like swimming
- • Start slowly and build up
Common Lung Problems
Asthma
Airways become narrow and swollen
Symptoms:
- • Wheezing or whistling when breathing
- • Shortness of breath
- • Chest tightness
- • Coughing, especially at night
Management: Use prescribed inhalers, avoid triggers, see doctor regularly
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Long-term breathing problems
Symptoms:
- • Chronic cough with mucus
- • Shortness of breath during activities
- • Frequent respiratory infections
- • Fatigue
Management: Quit smoking, take medications as prescribed, pulmonary rehabilitation
Pneumonia
Infection in the lungs
Symptoms:
- • Cough with phlegm
- • Fever and chills
- • Difficulty breathing
- • Chest pain
Treatment: See a doctor for antibiotics if bacterial; rest and fluids
Bronchitis
Inflammation of breathing tubes
Symptoms:
- • Persistent cough
- • Mucus production
- • Fatigue
- • Mild fever
Treatment: Rest, fluids, avoid irritants; see doctor if symptoms worsen
Breathing Exercises
Deep Breathing Exercise
- 1. Sit or lie down comfortably
- 2. Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly
- 3. Breathe in slowly through your nose
- 4. Feel your belly rise more than your chest
- 5. Breathe out slowly through your mouth
- 6. Repeat for 5-10 minutes
Pursed Lip Breathing
- 1. Breathe in through your nose for 2 counts
- 2. Purse your lips like you're whistling
- 3. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips for 4 counts
- 4. This helps keep airways open longer
- 5. Good for people with COPD or asthma
When to See a Doctor
See Your Doctor If You Have:
- • Cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
- • Coughing up blood
- • Shortness of breath during normal activities
- • Wheezing or chest tightness
- • Frequent respiratory infections
Seek Emergency Care If You Have:
- • Severe difficulty breathing
- • Chest pain with breathing
- • Blue lips or fingernails
- • Cannot speak in full sentences
- • Sudden, severe shortness of breath